Artisan Center’s windows to be reglazed

February 4, 2013

WHEELING - The Artisan Center's windows are slated to receive a facelift - the first since the building was renovated in 1995.

Bekah Karelis, historian with the Wheeling National Heritage Area Corp., which owns the building, said the wooden windows are not original to the building but are starting to show their age. The group is seeking bids for the project that involves 46 windows on the second and third floors of the building located at 1400 Main St. Work on the first-floor windows occurred last year.

"They've become deteriorated in spots. They don't need a complete overhaul. ... There are some issues with the glazing, which is what holds the glass in place," Karelis said. "They all need to be reglazed and all taken out and examined to see if the wood has deteriorated."

Bids are being taken until Feb. 25, and the work is expected to be completed by June 15.

Karelis said the windows need to be functional, as sometimes they are opened by WNHAC officials and by people attending weddings on the third floor. For example, during the Celtic Celebration the windows are sometimes opened to let out heat created by the high number of attendees.

"We can't let it go - the sills go pretty quickly and the sashes,'' she said.

Karelis said the corporation is not sure how much the project could cost, but the money will be taken from its general maintenance fund.

Some other downtown structures have received window work lately. At the Capitol Theatre, building preservation students with Belmont College recently finished a project to restore three original wood windows in the ballroom. And as renovation work continues on the Riley Building on 16th Street, passersby may have noticed new, white windows being installed on multiple floors of the structure.